The Wellness
Center
(formerly HIV/AIDS Department) |
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| On February 14,
1991, Maluti Hospital diagnosed its first HIV positive
patient. By 2003 it is estimated that there are nearly 10,000
HIV positive people in the Maluti Hospital health service
area. |
| |
| In 1991 an HIV/AIDS
department was started under the hospital’s Primary Health
Care program. This unit has since provided specialized
services to the “infected and affected people” of our health
service area and has become a model program for Lesotho.
|
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| Maluti Hospital
follows a wholistic model that addresses `the physical,
emotional, and spiritual needs’ of its patients and clients.
Therefore, our team of health care providers includes doctors,
nurses, social workers, and clergy, as well as specialists in
agriculture, nutrition, income generation, and services to
orphans and vulnerable children. |
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| The major areas
of focus for The Wellness Center include: |
- Community Education
- Voluntary Counselling and Testing
- Life-Skills Training
- Community Home-Based Care
- Orphans and Vulnerable Children
- Income Generating Activities
|
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| Community
Education |
| The HIV/AIDS
Department organizes and makes presentations to communities,
educating and encouraging them to accept and assist people
living with HIV/AIDS. We train peer educators and work with
schools and youth groups. Additionally we help to organize and
train HIV/AIDS Support Groups, as well as Community Home Based
Care groups. |
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| Voluntary
Counseling and Testing |
| Our team of five
counsellors provides over 120 counselling sessions a month and
offers a `rapid test’ program. Maluti Hospital also offers an
antiretroviral treatment program that includes a CD4 Count
Machine. |
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| Community Home
Based Care |
| The primary objective
of Community Home Based Care is to provide supportive and
palliative in-home care. |
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| We provide training
for Community Home Based Care Givers and offer them a monthly
support group. |
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| Orphans and
Vulnerable Children – Community Based |
It is estimated that
there are 1,500 orphans in the Maluti Hospital health service
area, the majority the result of HIV/AIDS. The HIV/AIDS
Department therefore provides the following:
- Material support such as clothing, food, and medical
care
- School fees and supplies
- Advocacy for legal rights and protection
- Life Skills Training, including education about HIV/AIDS
and training in vegetable growing, cooking, and sewing.
- Income generating projects, such as community gardening
and the making of candles, iron holders, and hair ribbons
- In all of these activities we seek to involve the entire
community, educating them about HIV/AIDS and encouraging and
supporting them in the care of orphans and vulnerable
children.
|
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| Income
Generating Activities |
- Assist individuals in creating projects that will
generate income to be used for medicines, shelter, food,
clothing, and school fees.
- Assist communities/villages in creating
sustainable income generating projects such as community
gardens and candle making. These projects provide
opportunities to teach skills, introduce appropriate
technology, and develop markets for products.
|
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| Funding for
HIV/AIDS Programs |
The HIV/AIDS
Department began with one person in 1991. It has since grown
to team of six by 2003. This growth has been made possible by
the generous contributions of donor organizations, including
the following:
- DANCHURCHAID became the first donor through CHAL
In 1991, funding such activities as voluntary HIV/AIDS
counselling and testing, purchasing test kits, and providing
the salary for a counsellor.
- Adventist Development Relief Agency was the
second donor in 2000-2001 specifically funding the Home
Based Care and Orphan Care projects.
- BRISTOL MYERS SQUIB, provided funding in
2001-2003 to focus on the needs of ten specific villages.
- Save The Children (UK) has been a regular
supporter since 2001 for multiple small funded projects.
- World Food Program began in 2003 providing food
relief for people living with HIV/AIDS, TB patients, orphans
and other vulnerable children.
- Ireland Aid – since 2002 have provided Community
Home Based Cared kits and contents, plus seeds for some
villages
- JICA (Japanese International – In 2003 provided a
CD4 Count Machine as well as continuing to provide many
basic medical supplies.
- LAPCA (Lesotho AIDS Program Coordinating
Authority) – In 2003 provided Community Home Based Care
Kits for Care Givers.
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| The Need For
Money |
| In light of the
staggering dimensions of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, our needs are
very great. If you should wish to partner with us in
responding to this challenge, please contact us at the address
on the top left of this page.
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